News Release

Friday, April 13, 2001

Los Angeles- On Thursday, April 12, 2001, at approximately 4:20 p.m., uniformed Officers Chris Luna (Serial No. 33483, 25 years old, 4 1/2 years with the Department) and Jon Kakita (Serial No. 33401, 30 years old, 4 1/2 years with the Department) were working a crime suppression detail. The officers were southbound on 2nd Avenue passing Exposition Place when they observed two male pedestrians on the west side of the street. When the suspects saw the officers, Suspect-1 began running southbound on 2nd Avenue toward Rodeo Street. Suspect-2 also ran from the location, and headed westbound on Exposition Place from 2nd Avenue. The officers followed suspect-1 in their marked black and white police vehicle.

As Suspect-1 ran from the location in a southeasterly direction, he retrieved a Tech-9 semi automatic assault pistol, from his person and pointed it at the driver officer, Officer Luna. As Suspect-1 did so, he stumbled and dropped the gun. Suspect-1 picked up the gun and began to turn toward the officers. Officer Luna, in fear for his life and that of his partner, fired one round from his service pistol, striking the suspect in the buttocks area. The officers then approached Suspect-1 and took him into custody without further incident. The suspect's gun was recovered at the scene.

Other officers responding to the location were advised by residents in the area that a male suspect, seen running westbound on Exposition Place, had tossed a gun in front of a house on the Block of Exposition Place. Responding officers recovered a loaded .44 Magnum revolver and .25 caliber semi automatic Beretta pistol. The handguns were recovered, each in front of two side-by-side residences on the 2200 Block of Exposition Place.

Suspect-2, a male Black juvenile, is still outstanding. Suspect-1 is also identified as a male Black juvenile. He was treated at a local hospital for his injury and released to the custody of the police. He will be booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Police Officer. The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by Robbery-Homicide Division.

This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank. For further information regarding this press release, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.